These are the positions the Dolphins would love to address, but if need be, the Dolphins could make due with what they have. However, these wants eventually grow into needs if not handled properly.

MIAMI DOLPHINS WANTS

PLAYMAKING FREE SAFETY – If the Dolphins could combine Tyrone Culver’s intelligence and preparation with Reshad Jones instincts, and Chris Clemons athleticism they would have the ultimate playmaking free safety. But for now, the Dolphins just have a trio of solid options.

Considering both General Manager Jeff Ireland and new defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle were committed to getting better play from the position it wouldn’t surprise me if the Dolphins add another safety via the draft or free agency. It doesn’t help that Yeremiah Bell’s cap number is $6.2 million, and cutting him or restructuring his deal, which is in its final season, would potentially create about $3-4 million in cap space.

CORNERBACK - Starting nickel cornerback Will Allen is an aging unrestricted free agent, and while his play was solid, its likely that the Dolphins will try to find a younger, cheaper option. Nolan Carroll and Jimmy Wilson are two youngsters with upside, and they might blossom with more of an investment. Wilson was being groomed as the nickel, but that’s a position veterans usually play. Complicating matters is the fact Sean Smith is entering the final year of his deal and will likely be put in a play-for-pay situation this season.

NOSE TACKLE - It is just a matter of time and money before nose tackle Paul Soliai, who turned in a Pro Bowl season in 2011, is playing for another team. The Dolphins would struggle to allocate the type of money it’ll take to re-sign Soliai without letting another need suffer. It’s unlikely that Miami would place the franchise tag on Soliai again since its guarantee him a salary of $15 million in 2012. So expect Soliai to sign elsewhere while the Dolphins hunt a quarterback upgrade. Randy Starks will likely fill the void his absence creates, but it would be wise for the Dolphins to add another 300-plus run stuffer to the roster. Nose tackles usually take two years to learn the position, so patience will be critical if that understudy is a draftee.

SEAM THREAT TIGHT END – Anthony Fasano’s a solid multipurpose tight end, and Charles Clay blossomed in his role as a pass catcher out of the backfield. But Clay, who was used more as a fullback than tight end last season, isn’t much of a blocker. However, that could improve. Fasano’s up there in age, and salary ($3.6 million in 2012), but he’s likely safe. But it would be wise for the Dolphins to add a seam threat tight end who could create mismatches on a regular basis. There are a few options in free agency if the Dolphins target possible dislodged options like Seattle’s John Carlson, Dallas’ Martellus Bennett, Carolina’s Jeremy Shockey or Houston’s Joel Dreessen. There are also a few decent prospects – like Clemson’s Dwayne Allen, Stanford’s Coby Fleener, Georgia’s Orson Charles, Louisiana-Lafeyette’s Ladarius Green and Missouri’s Michael Egnew – who will be available in the second round, and further into the draft.

RECEIVER – Brandon Marshall is a solid alpha receiver, but the Dolphins could use more of a playmaker to complement him. Brian Hartline, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, made plenty of clutch catches in 2011. But Hartline consistently faced single coverage most of the season and produced . Davone Bess turned in his least productive NFL season in ‘11 and ended the year having suffered an MCL sprain. Clyde Gates was drafted to serve as a stretch the field weapon, but the former Abilene Christian standout barely sniffed the field as a receiver because of his raw route running. Marlon Moore, Roberto Wallace and Julius Pruitt all have upside, but they’ll need to prove they are a good fit for the west coast offense. Receiver happens to be the deepest position in free agency, which means the sticker price on a few solid upgrades might come down. It also helps that 2012 is perceived as a deep receiver class when it comes to draft prospects. That means plenty of talented college receivers will be pushed down into the later rounds.

So….can you make an argument that some of these WANTS need to be put in the NEEDS category.

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OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More